Blackrock buzzing as they look to bridge 74-year gap with senior championship triumph

With over a decade of work with this particular group, the plans finally appear to be falling into place for Rockies boss Aidan Ryan

Blackrock: 1952 Cork camogie champions.

It’s a busy Monday evening in Church Road with the Blackrock minor hurling squad heading to Dungourney to replay their Cork Premier 1 final, while on the playing field All-Ireland winner Fergal Ryan is putting the Blackrock senior camogie team through their paces in preparation for Sunday’s SE Systems Cork senior camogie championship final against three-in-row seeking St Finbarr’s at MTU (3.30pm, referee Cathal McAllister).

Fergal’s brother Aidan is the manager, having overseen promotion from Premier intermediate camogie in 2023.

Fergal was at the helm when the Rockies ended an 18-year wait to lift the Seán Óg Murphy Cup six years ago.

The task now, however, is much bigger as they look to bridge a 74-year-gap since Blackrock/St Michael’s won a senior camogie title.

From a family perspective, Maeve Cashman, daughter of All-Ireland medallist Jim, will hope to emulate her grandaunts Eily and Maureen Cashman who featured prominently in 1952. Eily is also the grandmother of Kate Smith.

“The buzz is great,” says Aidan.

“A lot of people are getting on board and wanting to get involved. Everybody knows Blackrock are in the county final, it’s put camogie on the map.

“We don't have a minor team, which is unforgivable, really. We’ve two adult teams, the junior team is in the shield final, and we're able to keep it going with the two of them.

“We wouldn't have had a huge crowd against Courcey Rovers in the semi-final but I'd say we’ll have a big crowd on Sunday. I'm walking around, and people I wouldn’t know are wishing us well. They mightn’t even be Blackrock people, just saying best of luck.” 

With over a decade of work with this particular group, the plans finally appear to be falling into place.

“I'm involved with them since 2016, I took over in 2022. We just tried to build it. We wouldn't have seen this coming three years ago, but you know, it's just fabulous. And the girls love it.

“Fergal and Joe Young are doing the coaching with Mossy O’Sullivan, who has been doing it for the last few years.

“The lads are really feeding off the girls.

“I get a great sense of satisfaction and it's not just because my daughter Hayley is involved. Once you finish training, they all say thanks Aidan.” Reaching the final is a welcome breakthrough, especially since they lost to Courcey Rovers by 10 points in the group.

“We learned from the first game. We knew their big players and it's obviously nice to sit back and plan. Realistically, we kind of knew Courceys weren't that much better than us. It wasn't that we were confident, but we knew if we turned up, it would be 50/50.

“Even the first night coming out of Shanbally, I said, I'd love to meet them again. Not out of cockiness, but just, I'd love to try and turn up against them and see how we’d get on. 

“Our Ballinora match probably was the main one. We really played well and carried that into Ballincollig, and Aghabullogue (quarter-final).

“It is very pleasing to watch the girls progress. Winning is a habit, and you get used to it.” 

He should know, this is a backroom with no shortage of medals.

Hayley Ryan leads up top. Nowadays, she is joined by fellow intercounty stars Anna Kearney and Cliona O’Callaghan, in a true team effort.

“When we lost to Aghabullogue in the 2022 final a lot of the girls went away. It was either sink or swim and a lot of the younger girls saw it as an opportunity to get their game. So they trained harder, got fitter and stepped up. Now they're the main part of our team.” 

Up against last season’s All-Ireland club finalists presents a difficult challenge. Not alone are Brian O’Sullivan’s charges the standard bearers in Cork, but in Munster too.

“We know what we're facing, but we want to do ourselves justice and who knows if we get a bit of luck. We know what we can do. We haven't done it yet. I think it is possible, the key is believing.” 

Three months ago, the Blackrock club was devastated by the tragic passing of Niamh Barry, which left a profound and heavy void among her club-mates.

“Niamh loved camogie," Aidan says.

"She loved being around the girls. She got her first set of gear the night before she passed. Would you believe, I still have the gear in my car.

“The girls were all so extremely sad and emotional when it happened. If everyone had Niamh’s love of the game, we’d all have better clubs. She was first down training and just loved wearing the Blackrock top.” 

She would be so proud of everything they have achieved.